WI Board made decisions

GCB secretary says Cameron alone must not be blamed for India resolutions

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Anand Sanasie, has come out in defence of Whycliffe 'Dave' Cameron, saying the Jamaican has done a good job as president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and deserves another term in office.

Cameron, who is up for re-election after a two-year term in the job, is set to contest the WICB presidency early next month after nominations were received for the position over the weekend.

The 44-year-old business executive, who defeated St Lucian Dr Julian Hunte for the position in 2013, is set to go up against former West Indies fast bowler Joel Garner, who is the Barbados Cricket Association president.

"Mr Cameron has done well as president over the past two years, and at this point in time, the GCB is supporting Mr Dave Cameron," Sanasie told The Gleaner yesterday.

"He visited Guyana back in December, where he was guest speaker at our awards ceremony, and during that visit, he had a meeting with executives of the GCB.

"He presented his plans and outlined his achievements and thereafter requested that the GCB support him in the re-election process.

"At that point in time, he was the only candidate, and the only one seeking our support, and after the meeting, we gave him our support."

Sanasie pointed to the establishment of a professional first-class tournament regionally - which has resulted in the permanent employment of 90 players - as one of Cameron's legacies and also defended Cameron's handling of the players' boycott of the West Indies tour of India last year.

According to Sanasie, Cameron did little wrong, as throughout the ordeal, the actions taken were with the backing of the regional body's board of directors.

not an obstacle

"The decisions taken concerning India were (WICB) board decisions," he quipped "and not that of Cameron solely. I, therefore, do not see that as an obstacle (regarding his re-election)," he explained.

The GCB, one of six territorial bodies who will have two votes each at the election, nominated Cameron for re-election, with the Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control, seconding the Jamaican ahead of last Saturday's nomination deadline.

Sixty-two-year-old Garner, in the meanwhile, is said to have been nominated by the BCA, with the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) rubberstamping his intent.

The respective boards are also said to have nominated incumbent vice-president and president of the WICB Emmanuel Nanthan as Cameron's vice-presidential partner, and TTCB director Baldath Mahabir as Garner's equivalent.

The WICB is yet to release an official statement regarding nominations for the positions that will be up for election.

Interestingly, the Jamaica Cricket Association has signalled its intent to support Garner, following a vote by its board of directors, while up to press time, the Leeward Islands Cricket Association was yet to declare its hand.